Photographic cassette system having rotary capillary applicator of processing fluid

ABSTRACT

A multipurpose film handling cassette including an applicator system having processing fluid initially stored within a reservoir chamber. Extending between an interior of the chamber and the film is a, preferably cylindrical, applicator member having a plurality of capillary channels configured for conducting a metered amount of fluid to the film. In the preferred embodiment, the fluid is initially stored in a frangible pod, and the applicator cylinder includes a tang configured to tear open the pod and to subsequently cooperate with a stop so as to fixedly locate the channels in their functional location for fluid application. Tapered capillary channels are also disclosed which, responsive to variation in the rotational position of the cylinder, alter the rate of fluid flow to the film thereby permitting deposit of a uniform fluid layer on the film during non-uniform advancement of the latter.

[ July 16, 1974 United States Patent Stella PHOTOGRAPHIC CASSETTE SYSTEM HAVING ROTARY CAPILLARY Primary ExaminerMonroe H. Hayes APPLICATOR ()F PROCESSING FLUID Attorney, Agent, or FirmDavid R. Thornton Inventor:

ABSTRACT [75] Joseph A. Stella, Peabody, Mass. [57 [73] Assignee: Polaroid Corporation, Cambridge, 1

A multipurpose film handling cassette including an ap- Mass.

plicator system having processing fluid initially stored within a reservoir chamber. Extending between an in- 22 Filed: Dec. 26, 1972 211 App]. No.: 318,464

terior of the chamber and the film is a, preferably cylindrical, applicator member having a plurality of capillary channels configured for conducting a metered amount of fluid t0 the film. In the preferred embodiment, the fluid is initially stored in a frangible pod, and the applicator cylinder includes a tang configured to tear open the pod and to subsequently cooperate with a stop so as to fixedly locate the channels in their functional location for fluid application. Tapered capl20R,l 0mm 0 421 M $51 00 3 al 21 l 3 0 ,5 R G0 W8 U/ 1 y Q R 9 M39 0 mum 3 "5 11 "H9 1 2 H 5 u m mh .r. u a u H L C l 5 mm U IF l ll. 2 100 5 55 .i ll

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES illary channels are also disclosed which, responsive to PATENTS variation in the rotational position of the cylinder, 95/g9 R alter the rate of fluid flow to the film thereby permit- 95 g9 R ting deposit of a uniform fluid layer on the film during 95/89 R non-uniform advancement of the latter. 95/89 R 95/89 R X 42 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PAIENTE JUL 1 61974 FIG. 40

F IG. 4-

SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG. 7

FIG. 2'

PATENTED JUL 1 61974 SHEET 3 0P3 PHOTOGRAPIIIC CASSETTE SYSTEM HAVING. ROTARY CAPILLARY APPLICATOR OF PROCESSING FLUID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a photographic system, and particularly, to a photographic cassette system having an improved device for applying a uniform coating of processing liquid to a given length of exposed motionpicture film.

2. Description of the Prior Art Recently, important technological advances in the motion picture arts have made it possible for the individual to effect processing and projection of motionpicture film substantially immediately after the pictures have been taken. Examplary of these advances in the art are systems describedin U.S. Pat. No. 3,615,127 of Edwin H. Land issued on Oct. 26, 1971; U.S. Pat. No. 3,600,070 of Rogers B. Downey issued on Aug. 17, 1971; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,616,740 of Vaito K. Eloranta issued on Nov. 2, I971. The systems described in the aforesaid patents employ a film-handling cassette in which the film is retained, untouched, during the entire operations of exposure, processing and projection. In general, these systems include a processing station for applying a thin, uniform coating of processing fluid to the film strip following its exposure. It is desirable that the processing station internally stores a suitable quantity of processing fluid and be capable of depositing a substantially continuous, uniform layer of the latter over the entire useful length of the film strip during its advancement. Hence, it is important that the processing station provide an applicator capable of being actuated at an appropriate time following exposure, and of subsequently depositing a precisely metered amount of fluid to the film strip.

These problems of achieving appropriate actuation of the processor and uniform coating of the film strip are, of course, further exemplified by the requirement that each cassette carry its own processor and further by the fact that the cassette and its components including the film must be capable of mass production manufacturing techniques and the tolerance levels incident to such techniques for the system to be acceptable in a competitive commercial market. Hence, it will be appreciated that the design and structural organization ofthe means by which the fluid is dispensed, are critical to the overall system in which the cassette is used.

Consequently, an important object of the invention is to provide an improved photographic system.

Another primary object is to provide an improved film handling cassette having an applicator for effectively applying a substantially uniform layer of processing fluid to a length of retained photographic film.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved film handling cassette having a capillary type processing system.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a liquid applicator in which means are available for absorbing any excess of the liquid which may remain following its application to the film.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved system enabling motion-picture taking, processing and viewing in rapid sequence, wherein a compact cassette includes a reservoir container configured for receiving a processing fluid, the latter being metered by a device including a capillary component onto an exposed photographic film strip which is undergoing movement. The capillary component includes a member having a channelled surface extending from within the container into tangential contact with the film strip. Preferably, the fluid is initially stored in a frangible pod within the container, and the capillary component comprises a cylindrical member carrying a plurality of trough-like channels extending circumferentially over a given length of the cylinder periphery. A pointed, radial projection of the cylinder, providing means for releasing the fluid into the reservoir chamber responsive to cylinder rotation, is located at the trailing end of the capillary channels and cooperates with a stop within the chamber so that, following opening of the pod and release of its fluid, the capillary channels are located so as to extend along the curved surface between the fluid and the film strip.

In an alternate embodiment, the width of the channels taper from a point at their leading end to a wide mouth at the trailing end within the liquid such that the amount of fluid metered to the film varies in accordance with the location of line contact between the latter and the channels thereby permitting variation in the rate of fluid flow to the film in accordance with the rotational position of the cylinder member so as to compensate for variation in the speed of advancement of the strip past the applicator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have been employed in the different figures to denote the same parts and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic cut-away frontal view of a compact multipurpose motion-picture film-handling cassette embodying the features of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic sectional end view of the cassette taken along line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic fragmentary perspective view of a coupling mechanism of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic detail view of the drum component of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4a is a detail view of an alternate embodiment of the drum component shown in FIG. 4;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are diagrammatic sectional views of the liquid applicator device of the invention illustrating DETAILED DESCRIPTION The illustrated embodiment of this invention may best be understood by first reffering to FIGS. 1 and 2 apart parallel axes. An unexposed length of motionpicture film 20, provided with perforations 22 and with film leader and trailer affixed to the takeup spool 18 and to the supply spool 16, respectively, is initially substantially entirely coiled around the supply spool. Passing from the supply spool 16 to the takeup spool 18, the strip of film material sequentially travels around idlers 24, 26, 28, 30 and 32.

Intermediate the idlers 26 and 28 the film 20 passes through a processing station 34 while intermediate the idlers 28 and 30 it passes through an exposure and projection station 36. In this latter connection, a cut-out portion of the housing member 12 defines an exposureprojection opening 38 through a portion of which image-carrying light rays may enter or leave the cassette.

Mounted within the exposure and projection station 36 so as to be in alignment with its opening 38 is a pressure-plate assembly 40 having an integral frame-like recessed portion 42 having a frontal aperture 44 which is aligned with a similar aperture (not shown) of the front wall 12. Mounted in recessed portion 42 is a lightreflecting element 48. Also included in recessed portion 42 is an aperture 50 which extends through the pressure plate and is aligned with the cassette opening 38. It will thus be noted that the light-reflecting element 48 redirects these rays outwardly of the cassette through the pressure-plates aperture 50 and that section or frame of the film 20 disposed thereacross. Preferably the light-reflecting element 48 may have a configuration similar to the prismatic element described in more detail in the aforementioned copending application Ser. No. 767,609 of Herbert A. Bing.

The pressure-plate 40 is mounted within the cassette so that it may be displaced inwardly away from the film 20. This movement is permitted against the biasing force exerted by a flat spring 52, integral with the pressure-plate 40 and bearing against a fixed stud 54. Recession of the pressure plate is thus made possible when rewinding of the film onto spool 16 is to be performed. An example of means for displacing the pressure-plate 40 is illustrated. An apertured plate 56 of a projection apparatus or the like (partially shown at 82 in FIG. 2) is connected with the pressure-plate by a plurality of arms or pins 58, the latter being slidably mounted for back-and-forth movement in a plurality of slots 60. A solenoid 62, mounted adjacent to the plate 56, when energized slides a tang 64 at the extremity of the solenoid core 66 along the surface of a cam 68 located on the plate 56 so as to push this plate and the attached or contacted pressure-plate 40 inwardly away from film 20 against the bias of spring 52. Upon de-energization, return movement of the core 66 and tange 64 is provided by the solenoid compression-spring 70.

As in conventional motion picture apparatus, the film strip 20 is advanced during exposure and projection modes by a claw arrangement in cooperation with rotation of the film spools 16 and 18. To facilitate driving of the latter for both forward and rewind of the film strip, a pair of spur gears 72 and 74 are mounted flush with the generally flat exterior surface of the cassettes front wall 12 within recessed portions 76 and 78 of the front wall and in axial connection to the film spools 16 and 18. t

Extending from a leading edge 80 of the cassette, in terms of the direction of its insertion into the projector apparatus 82 (FIG. 2), into communication with the recessed portions 76 and 78, respectively, are'a pair of similarly recessed channels 76a and 78a. These channels 76a and 78a are spaced closer together than are the axes of the spur gears 72 and 74 so as to permit a pair of'external coplanarly mounted driving spur gears (not shown) of a camera or projector to be displaced along'the channels 76a and 78a from a position adjacent to the cassettes edge 80 into engagement with the cassettes spur gears 72 and 74. When an externally mounted driving spur gear drives the takeup spool 18 in a clockwise direction exposure or projection of the film is performed. When an externally mounted spur gear drives the supply spool 16 in a counterclockwise direction, reversible transport of the film strip 20 from spool 18 to spool 16 is accomplished. Processing of the film is preferably performed during the last-named or rewinding operation.

The present invention is pointed toward the liquidapplicator and specifically related structure of the cassette and its mounting-unit. Accordingly, certain of the hereinbefore presented details of the cassette do not constitute part of the present inventionand may take forms other than those described.

Components particularly relating to the subject invention are indicated at the processing station 34 of FIGS'. 1 and 2. As shown in these figures, the liquidapplicator device 84 basically comprises a substantially liquid-tight container or chamber element 85 pivotally mounted in the cassette at 86.

Within the housing forming chamber 85 is a flangible sac or pod 88 hermetically holding a compatible processing liquid 90 of an aqueous type adapted to process the exposed-motion-picture film 20 with extreme rapidity as it passes across the processing station 34. A preferred type of film structure'comprises both a photosensitive image-recording layer and an image-receiving layer in which, respectively, a developed negative image having a low silver covering power and a visible positive image having a high silver covering power are formed. This is accomplished upon application of the processing liquid by diffusion transfer of image-forming substances from the photosensitive layer to the imagereceiving layer. Assuming the processed film to be in the form of a transparency suitable for projection,'only the positive image, of dominant covering power or density, is visible. Film structures and processing substances of types which may be considered as relating to those contemplated herein are described in prior US. Pat. Nos. 2,726,154, 2,861,885 and 3,944,894 of Edwin H. Land, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present invention. However, it is to be noted that the present invention is not directed to the chemistry of image formation. Accordingly, suitable film structures and processing liquids other than those above-suggested may be employed.

The pod 88, preferably of a somewhat cylindrical shape and composed, for example, of a lead foil having plastic coating, is held against displacement by chamher portions 88a and 88b. A roller or drum 92, mounted on stub shafts 94 for rotation within the chamber 85, have a peripheral portion 92a protruding through an aperture or slot 96 formed in that wall of chamber 85 which is adjacent to the film as it passes between idlers 28 and 26. Resilient sealing means 98 may be provided to prevent an unwanted escape of the processing liquid at the edges of aperture 96.

A sharp, knife-like projection or tooth 100 extends radially outwardly from approximately the transverse peripheral center of the drum 92 for opening of the pod 88 as later explained in regard to operation of the processing station 34. A liquid-absorbti've component 102, e.g., a cellulosic sponge-like or blotting material in the form of a sector is inset into the drum 92 for absorption of the remaining liquid following completion of they processing operation and release of the roller 92 as later explained in regard to FIG. 6. Hence, the sponge 102 cooperates with the opening 96 of the processor housing 85 to provide sealing means therefor. Fastened between the drum 92 or shaft 94 and the housing forming the chamber 85 is a torsion spring 104 which as later explained operates to return the drum to its initialposition shown in FIG. 1.

A plurality of minute parallel capillary grooves or channels 116, of predetermined depth and length, are formed longitudinally, that is, circumferentially of a section of the peripheral surface of the drum 92 as shown more clearly in FIG. 4. These capillary channels are of a width and depth such that the aqueous solution will flow through them by capillary action. Hence, they provide means for conducting a measured flow of the processing liquid 90 to the film, in a manner to be subsequently described in more detail with regard to FIG. 5

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, a first or functional pivotal position of the liquid-applicator 84 is such that there is contact, in part, of that portion 92a of drum 92, which. extends through the housing aperture 96, with the emulsion side of film 20 as it passes the processing station. This contact is maintained at a given pressure through bias applied to the liquid applicator 84 by a flat spring 118 bearing thereagainst. Accordingly, the film is held in a slightly tautened condition. Detent means for holding the liquid applicator 84 at a second pivotal position following its use comprises a flat resilient arm 120 and a stop 122 adapted to receive and hold fixedly the tip of the arm. Completing the description of the liquid applicator 84, an integral stud or tang 124 projects late rally from the lower edge 125 of the former through a slot 126 formed in the end wall 15 of the cassette. The tang 124 as later explained is employed for facilitating displacement of the applicator to its second position and consequently, where the latter is in its initial position as shown in FIG. 1, the end of the tange and a lateral projection 124a are substantially flush with the exterior of wall 15.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a driving or coupling mechanism 106 identified with the unit 82 is adapted to provide counterclockwise rotational movement of the drum 92. Releasable engagement of the driving mechanism with the drum 92 is provided by contact of the convex and ridged plunger component 108, under bias applied by compression spring 110, with the concave fluted tip 94a (shown more clearly in FIG. 3) of the stub shaft 94. A slip-clutch 112 diagrammatically shown in FIG..2 prevents damage to the mechanism through any excess of driving force. The clutch 112 is connected with driving means, e.g., an electric motor (not shown) of the mounting-unit.

Rotational movement of the drum 92, in a counter clockwise direction as viewed in FIGS. 1, 5 and 6, is provided by the driving mechanism 106. The limit of such rotation is determined by contact of the tooth with a limit stop 114. Return movement of the drum 92 in a clockwise direction is provided by the torsion spring 104.

The pivotal mounting of the liquid-applicator 84 serves two principal functions, as follows. It provides contact of the drum 92 with the film 20 during rewind for processing purposes and it permits withdrawal of the drum from contact with the film 20 during projection or during rewind of an already processed film.

The pivotal movement of the applicator 84 is accomplished by solenoid means 128 of the projector apparatus 82. These means comprise a (see FIG. 1) solenoid 128 which includes a movable core 130, a biasing compression-spring 132, an actuating or impelling arm 134, and a microswitch 136. The latter includes a contactarm 138 which is adapted for actuating the microswitch 136 upon contact with the tang 124a. Hence, the microswitch 136 is capable of sensing the position of the applicator 84 and thereby indicating whether the film- 20 of a particular cassette has been processed. Additionally, upon completion of processing and the application through switch 136 of an appropriate signal to the solenoid 128, which drives the applicator to its second position, the switch is thereby opened, and accordingly indicates that the cassette has been processed. In the latter position of the applicator 84 as shown in FIG 6, when the applicator 84 has assumed a tilted position, the detent arm has entered the stop 122 and the applicator is held permanently in this position with the drum surface 92a now being withdrawn from contact with film 20 I In the operation of the unit it is assumed that as shown in FIG. 1, the cassette 10 has been removed from a camera (not shown) wherein the motion-picture film 20 has been photographically exposed during its passage across aperture 50 and is now substantially entirely wound upon the takeup spool 18. At this time, the applicator is in its first position such that upon insertion in the projector apparatus 82, the contacts 140 of microswitch 136 are forced closed thereby initiating operation of components of the projector resulting in the following. The solenoid 62 (see FIG. 1) is energized so that the tang 64 is drawn against cam 68, thereby relieving the film of contact by the pressure plate 40 at the exposure aperture. The coupling mechanism 106' shown in FIG. 2 engages the drum axis 94 and is energized to rotate the latter. The drum 92 commences rotation in a counterclockwise direction toward the position shown in FIG. 5 such that the tooth 100 penetrates and fractures the pod 88, thereby releasing the processing liquid 90 which immediately assumes the position shown in FIG. 5. During this rotation, the capillary area 116 is thereby prewetted. When rotation of the drum 92 has proceeded to the extent shown in FIG. 5, it is held fixed against further rotation by contact of the tooth 100 with the limit stop 114.

Upon completion of the foregoing, the supply spool 16 is appropriately rotated in a counterclockwise direction and the unprocessed film begins its movement across the processing station 34 into coiled arrangement upon the supply spool. At this stage of the operation, and thence-forward until processing has been completed, the processing liquid 90 is supplied to the film 20 through capillary action, as provided by the capillary channels 116. It will be noted in FIG. that the lower extremities of the channels 116 are immersed in the processing liquid 90 while the upper extremities thereof are slightly above the point of contact of the drum 92 with the film 20, and that a miniscus 158 of the processing liquid is formed slightly above this point of contact.

When the drum 92 is rotated such that its capillary surface 92 is in film contact, the fluid is dispersed to the film in a controlled manner. The drum provides displaceable capillary means configured for displacement between a first position out of film engagement and a second position wherein the capillary means extends from the fluid reservoir into tangential engagement with the film strip. Advantageously, while the cross section (the width and depth) of the capillary determine the flow to the film, the actual wetting of the film is over a greater area than such cross section since the film is brought into contact with the open edge of the channel, or that is, is in contact with fluid of the channel in a plane parallel to the longitudinal flow in the channel rather than normal thereto. Hence, improved wetting of the film results.

When processing of the film 20 is completed, the solenoid 128 isenergized and the driving force of the coupling member 106 is relinquished in accordance with operation of the film sensor switch 142. Operation of the solneoid 128 drives its arm 134 into engagement with the tang 124 and tilts the applicator 84 back to its disengaged position where it is permanently held out of firm engagement by the detent means 120 and 122, as shown in FIG. 6. Simultaneously, as the coupling member 106 is released, the drum 94 rotates to its original position under the urging of its torsion spring 104 and any remnant of the processing liquid is absorbed by the sponge 102. It will be noted in FIG. 6 that the tang extension 124a is now recessed in the slot 126 and that the contacts 140 of microswitch 136 are open. Accordingly, the cassette 10 is henceforth identifiable as one containing exposed and processed film and can be used as a permanent film-storage unit. A further description of indicating and sensing means of the film cassette and mounting unit enabling automatic operations of rewind, processing, take-up and projection is contained in the commonly assigned US. Pat. application Ser. No. 227,083 of Rogers B. Downey et al. filed on Feb. 17, 1972.

Assuming that the film is of a Super-8 type and of a 50 length, a volume of 1.5-2cc. of processing liquid may be supplied in the pod 88. Rotation of the drum 92 from a non-functional position and vice-versa is slightly in excess of 90, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, and occupies approximately 1 second. At completion of this rotational movement, the capillary grooves 116 are wetted sufficiently to initiate the capillary action and the film commences to move.

The stub shafts 94 are shown as extending through walls of cassette 12 in FIG. 2. It is therefore to be assumed that short, slightly curved slots 160 are formed in the cassette walls to permit pivotal movement of the device 84. Alternatively, however, the shafts 94 may terminate at the outer surface of the walls of the device 84 in which instance the slots 160 would be omitted.

Although the drum like element 92 is illustrated as of a width greater than that of the film 20, it is to be understood that it may be of a narrower width, for example, equal to the intermediate image portion of the latter whereby marginal portions of the film are untreated by the processing liquid.

An alternate means for spacing the drum from the film 20 at a given rotational position of the former is illustrated by the drum 92b of FIG. 8. At a non-liquid dispensing position of the drum,'the flattened portion 920 would be located adjacent but in spaced relation to the film 20. In this case, the drum forms essentially a cylindrical segment retaining capillary means on its curved surface which may be rotated from its rest position into and back out of fluid and film engagement without otherwise moving the processing structure.

In FIG. 4a, the drum 92 of, for example, 4 inch diameter and inchwidth, has parallel capillary channels 116 formed which may, for example, be of equal width, spacing and depth, e.g., 0.010 inch and have a circumferential length of inch. The capillary action may be considered as of a constant self-metering category in that the amount of processing liquid dispensed varies only with variation in the speed of film travel.

Hence, in this arrangement, fluid flow is constant with film speed and has a maximum set by the capillary size. On the other hand, as shown in exaggerated size in FIG. 4b, the tapered capillary channels in the drum 93 illustrate an alternate means for furthering a variable metering ability. Herein, the rate of flow of the processing liquid diminishes along the narrowing groove because of an augmented shear factor. Consequently, the rate at which the fluid is deposited on the film is, in this embodiment a function of both the rotational position of the drum with respect to the film strip and of the speed of the latter. Hence, the fluid flow to the film can be varied, for a given film speed, by slightly rotating the drum 93 to vary the width of channel between the point of film contact and the fluid reservoir. The latter arrangement is particularly useful in equipment where the film speed is not constant, for example, where the film is convolutely wound on a spool, driven a constant speed, such that the film starts at low speed and ultimately terminates at a maximum speed.

In such an arrangement, the drum 93 is first rotated (not shown) such that the bottom, wide portions 117 of the tapered channels 115 bridge the gap between the fluid of the reservoir and the film and provide a large fluid flow to the film (due to the large cross sectional capillaries) during the slow speed of the latter. Then, as the film speed increases during rewind, the drum is slowly rotated (clockwise in FIG. 5) to bring narrower portions of the channels 115 into a bridging relation between the film and the reservoir. The latter reverse motion of the drum is provided by appropriate drive means such as means 106 of FIG. 2. Advantageously, the surface area of the film in contact with the channel fluid and hence initially wetted is also reduced during accordingly. Hence, the tapered channels provided means for varying the rate of fluid flow to the film independent of film speed, and in this arrangement provide ing from the spirit or character thereof. The preferred embodiment described herein is, therefore, to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope thereof being indicated by the appended claims and all variations which come within the meaning of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. A film handling cassette comprising:

a housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material and for operable association with photographic apparatus for effecting at least film processing operations;

means for receiving a supply of processing fluid;

a coating cylinder having capillary means extending around a limited portion of the periphery thereof and configured for communicating with such received supply of processing fluid and an incremental section of such film strip to conduct such processing fluid thereto when said cylinder is rotated to an operative position to bring its said capillary means into bridging relation between such fluid and such incremental section; and

means for cooperating with such apparatus when said cassette is operably associated therewith for rotating said cylinder to its said operative position and for progressively advancing substantially the entire length of such film strip past said coating cylinder to effect the coating of such film strip with such fluid.

2. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a processing station having a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such fluid, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position, and said coating cylinder being located with at least a portion of the periphery of said cylinder in said resermu.

3. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, and said cylinder being mounted for rotational displacement between an initial position wherein said capillary means are wholly within said chamber and an operational position wherein said capillary means extend through said aperture.

4. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a processing station having a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such fluid, said coating cylinder being configured for location of at least a portion of the periphery thereof in said reservoir, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position, said means for releasing such fluid including means carried by said cylinder and configured for cooperation with said storing means for releasing such fluid responsive to rotational displacement of said cylinder from an initial position wherein said capillary means are not in film engagement and an operative position wherein said capillary means are in film engagement.

5. The cassette of claim 4 wherein said releasing means includes a projection located at a'given point on said cylinder at one end of said capillary means, and said projection configured for engaging said storing means and for releasing the fluid therein during rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position.

6. The cassette of claim 5 including stop means configured for cooperating with said projection for stopping said cylinder in its said operative position.

'7. The cassette of claim 6 wherein said fluid storing means is a pod-like member having at least a portion of tearable material, and said cylinder includes a projecting tang configured to pierce said portion and tear open said pod responsive to rotation of said cylinder.

8. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including means for biasing said cylinder to an initial position wherein said capillary means are not in bridging relation to such fluid and such film section.

9. The cassette of claim 8 wherein said biasing means includes a spring member configured for urging said cylinder in a given direction.

10. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, said means cooperating with such apparatus for rotating said cylinder includes means for subsequently rotating said cylinder from its said operative position following treatment of such film strip with such fluid, and said cylinder includes means for sealing said chamber aperture responsive to said subsequent rotation of said cylinder from its operative position.

11. The cassette of claim 10 wherein said sealing means comprises an absorptive material mounted on the periphery of said cylinder.

12. The cassette of claim 11 wherein said material is a sponge-like material.

13. The cassette of claim 10 whereinsaid cylinder is mounted within said chamber for rotational displacement between an initial position wherein said capillary means are generally within said chamber and an operative position wherein said capillary means extends from the bottom of said chamber and through said aperture.

14. The cassette of claim 10 wherein said sealing means comprises a body of resilient material mounted on the periphery of said cylinder and configured to cooperate with said aperture when said cylinder is rotated so as to bring said material into engagement with said aperture.

15. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, and means for sealing said aperture responsive to rotation of said cylinder from its said operative position.

16. The cassette of claim 15, wherein said releasing means includes a projection located at one end of said capillary means and said sealing means includes an absorptive material located at the other end of said capillary means.

17. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said capillary means includes a plurality of capillary grooves arranged in spaced relationship and extending around a portion of the periphery of said cylinder.

18. The cassette of claim 17 wherein said capillary.

grooves are substantially uniform in cross-section throughout their length.

19. The cassette of claim 17 wherein each of said capillary grooves are substantially identical in crosssection.

20. The cassette of claim 17 wherein said capillary grooves have a uniformly decreasing cross-section such that the expression of such fluid may be varied in accordance with the portion of said grooves which are brought into film contact.

21. A film handling cassette comprising:

a housing configured for operable association with photographic apparatus for effecting at least film processing operations;

a strip of photographic material stored within said housing;

means for receiving a supply of processing fluid;

coating means including a rotatably mounted member, said member comprising at least an annular segment having capillary means extending along at least a limited portion of the length thereof and configured for communicating with such supply of processing fluid when it is received in said receiving means and an incremental section of said strip of photographic material so as to conduct such processing fluid thereto when said member is rotated I to an operative position so as to bring its said capillary means into bridging relation between such fluid and such film segment; and

means for cooperating with such apparatus when said cassette is operably associated therewith for displacing said member to its said operative position and for progressively advancing substantially the entire length of said strip of photographic material past said coating member so as to effect the coating of said strip of photographic material with such fluid.

22. The cassette of claim 21 wherein said coating member comprises a cylinder having an indented portion, said capillary means comprising a plurality of capillary grooves extending along a portion of the curved periphery of said cylinder, and said cylinder being configured for rotation from an initial position wherein its indentedportion is in adjoining relation to said film strip so as to permit passage of said film strip without contact to said cylinder and a second position wherein its said capillary grooves are in engagement with said film strip.

23. The cassette of claim 22 whereinsaid indented portion comprises a flattened portion'of said cylinder periphery.

24. A film handling cassette comprising:

a housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film and for operable association with photographic apparatus for effecting exposure, processing and projection operations;

means for receiving a supply of processing fluid;

coating means including a displaceably mounted member, said member comprising at least an annular segment having a plurality of capillary grooves extending along at least a limited portion of the outer curved surface thereof and configured for communicating with such supply of processing fluid when it is received in said receiving means and an incremental section of such strip of photographic material to conduct such processing fluid thereto when said member is displaced to an operative position to bring its said capillary grooves into bridging relation between such fluid and such film segment such that the open face of at least a portion of said grooves is in tangential contact with such film segment; and

means for cooperating with such apparatus when said cassette is operably associated therewith for displacing said member to its said operative position and for progressively advancing substantially the entire length of such of photographic material past said coating member to effect the coating of such strip of photographic material with such fluid.

25. The cassette of claim 24 wherein said capillary grooves are substantially uniform in cross-section throughout their length.

26. The cassette of claim 24 wherein said grooves are tapered so as to a decreasing cross-section throughout their length.

27. A photographic system comprising:

a photographic cassette comprising:

a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material and for operable association with other photographic apparatus for effecting exposure, processing and projection operations;

means for receiving a supply of processing fluid;

a coating cylinder having capillary means extending around a limited portion of 'the'periphery thereof and configured for communicating with such supply 9 of processing fluid and an incremental section of such strip of photographic material to conduct such processing-fluid thereof when said cylinder is rotated to an operative position to bring its said capillary means into bridging'relation between such fluid and such incremental section; and

meansfor cooperating with other apparatus when said cassette is operably associated therewith for rotating said cylinder to its said operative position and for progressively advancing substantially the entire length of such film strip past said coating cylinder so'as to effect the coating of such strip of photographic material with such fluid;

and 1 an apparatus comprising:

a housing having means for receiving said cassette in an operative location therein; and

means for cooperating with said cylinder rotating means and said advancement facilitating means for rotating said cylinder to its said operative position and for progressively advancing such film strip there-across.

28 The system of claim 27 wherein said apparatus means includes first independent means for cooperating with said cylinder rotating means so as to rotate said cylinder and second independent means for cooperating with said advancement facilitating means for advancing such film across said cylinder.

29. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a processing station having a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from such source into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position, and said coating cylinder being configured for location of at least a portion of the periphery of said cylinder in said reservoir.

30. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a processing station having a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such fluid, said coating cylinder being configured for location of at least a portion 'of the periphery thereof in said reservoir chamber,

means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position, said means for releasing such fluid including means carried by said cylinder and configured for cooperation with said storing means for releasing such fluid responsive to rotational displacement of said cylinder from an initial position wherein said capillary means are not in film engagement and an operative position wherein said capillary means are in film engagement.

31. The system of claim 30 wherein said releasing means includes a projection located at a given point on said cylinder at one end of said capillary means, and said projection configured for engaging said storing means and for releasing the fluid therein during rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position.

32. The system of claim 31 including stop means configured for cooperating with said projection for stopping said cylinder in its said operative position.

33. The cassette of claim 32 wherein said fluid storing means is a pod-like member having at least a portion of tearable material, and said cylinder includes a projecting tang configured to pierce said portion and tear open said pod responsive to rotation of said cylinder.

34. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, said cylinder being mounted for rotational displacement between an initial position wherein said capillary means are wholly within said chamber and an operational position wherein said capillary means extend through said aperture, and said apparatus means for rotating said cylinder including means for rotating said cylinder between its said initial and its said operational position.

35. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, said means for rotating such cylinder includes means for subsequently rotating said cylinder from its said operative position following treatment of such film strip with such fluid, and means responsive to said subsequent rotation of said cylinder from its operative position for sealing said chamber aperture.

36. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means responsive to rotation of said cylinder, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, and means for sealing said aperture responsive to rotation of said cylinder from its said operative position.

37. The system of claim 36 wherein said sealing means comprises an absorptive material mounted on the periphery of said cylinder.

38. The system of claim 27 wherein said capillary means includes a plurality of capillary grooves arranged in spaced relationship and extending around a limited portion of the periphery of said cylinder.

39. An applicator for applying a coating of processing fluid to a strip of photographic film material as such film strip is advanced past said applicator, said applicator comprising:

means for receiving a supply of processing fluid;

a coating cylinder having capillary means extending around a limited portion of the periphery thereof and configured for communicating with such received supply of fluid and at least an incremental section of such film strip so as to conduct such processing fluid thereto when said cylinder is rotated to an operative position, responsive to external means, to bring its said capillary means into bridging relation between such received fluid and such incremental section.

40. The applicator of claim 39 wherein said cylinder includes an indented portion, said capillary means comprise a plurality of grooves extending along a por tion of the curved periphery of said cylinder, and said cylinder being configured for rotation from an initial position wherein its said indented portion is in adjoining relation to such film strip so as to permit free passage thereof without contact to said cylinder and a second position wherein said capillary grooves are in en'- gagement with such film strip.

41. The applicator of claim 39 additionally including a housing, means for releasably storing such supply of fluid, and wherein said receiving means includes a chamber located in said housing and configured'for receiving such fluid, said cylinder being located with at least a portion of its said periphery located in said chamber, and said applicator additionally including means responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position for releasing such fluid from said fluid storing means.

42. The applicator of claim 41 wherein said fluid storing means is a pod-like member having at least a portion of tearable material and said cylinder includes a projecting tang configured to open said pod and thereby release such fluid responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position. 

1. A film handling cassette comprising: a housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material and for operable association with photographic apparatus for effecting at least film processing operations; means for receiving a supply of processing fluid; a coating cylinder having capillary means extending around a limited portion of the periphery thereof and configured for communicating with such received supply of processing fluid and an incremental section of such film strip to conduct such processing fluid thereto when said cylinder is rotated to an operative position to bring its said capillary means into bridging relation between such fluid and such incremental section; and means for cooperating with such apparatus when said cassette is operably associated therewith for rotating said cylinder to its said operative position and for progressively advancing substantially the entire length of such film strip past said coating cylinder to effect the coating of such film strip with such fluid.
 2. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a processing station having a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such fluid, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position, and said coating cylinder being located with at least a portion of the periphery of said cylinder in said reservoir.
 3. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, and said cylinder being mounted for rotational displacement between an initial position wherein said capillary means are wholly within said chamber and an operational position wherein said capillary means extend through said aperture.
 4. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a processing station having a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such fluid, said coating cylinder being configured for location of at least a portion of the periphery thereof in said reservoir, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position, said means for releasing such fluid including means carried by said cylinder and configured for cooperation with said storing means for releasing such fluid responsive to rotational displacement of said cylinder from an initial position wherein said capillary means are not in film engagement and an operative position wherein said capillary means are in film engagement.
 5. The cassette of claim 4 wherein said releasing means includes a projection located at a given point on said cylinder at one end of said capillary means, and said projection configured for engaging said storing means and for releasing the fluid therein during rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position.
 6. The cassette of claim 5 including stop means configured for cooperating with said projection for stopping said cylinder in its said operative position.
 7. The cassette of claim 6 wherein said fluid storing means is a pod-like member having at least a portion of tearable material, and said cylinder includes a projecting tang configured to pierce said portion and tear open said pod responsive to rotation of said cylinder.
 8. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including means for biasing said cylinder to an initial position wherein said capillary means are not in bridging relation to such fluid and such film section.
 9. The cassette of claim 8 wherein said biasing means includes a spring member configured for urging said cylinder in a given direction.
 10. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, said means cooperating with such apparatus for rotating said cylinder includes means for subsequently rotating said cylinder from its said operative position following treatment of such film strip with such fluid, and said cylinder includes means for sealing said chamber aperture responsive to said subsequent rotation of said cylinder from its operative position.
 11. The cassette of claim 10 wherein said sealing means comprises an absorptive material mounted on the periphery of said cylinder.
 12. The cassette of claim 11 wherein said material is a sponge-like material.
 13. The cassette of claim 10 wherein said cylinder is mounted within said chamber for rotational displacement between an initial position wherein said capillary means are generally within said chamber and an operative position wherein said capillary means extends from the bottom of said chamber and through said aperture.
 14. The cassette of claim 10 wherein said sealing means comprises a body of resilient material mounted on the periphery of said cylinder and configured to cooperate with said aperture when said cylinder is rotated so as to bring said material into engagement with said aperture.
 15. The cassette of claim 1 additionally including a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, and means for sealing said aperture responsive to rotation of said cylinder from its said operative position.
 16. The cassette of claim 15, wherein said releasing means includes a projection located at one end of said capillary means and said sealing means includes an absorptive material located at the other end of said capillary means.
 17. The cassette of claim 1 wherein said capillary means includes a plurality of capillary grooves arranged in spaced relationship and extending around a portion of the periphery of said cylinder.
 18. The cassette of claim 17 wherein said capillary grooves are substantially uNiform in cross-section throughout their length.
 19. The cassette of claim 17 wherein each of said capillary grooves are substantially identical in cross-section.
 20. The cassette of claim 17 wherein said capillary grooves have a uniformly decreasing cross-section such that the expression of such fluid may be varied in accordance with the portion of said grooves which are brought into film contact.
 21. A film handling cassette comprising: a housing configured for operable association with photographic apparatus for effecting at least film processing operations; a strip of photographic material stored within said housing; means for receiving a supply of processing fluid; coating means including a rotatably mounted member, said member comprising at least an annular segment having capillary means extending along at least a limited portion of the length thereof and configured for communicating with such supply of processing fluid when it is received in said receiving means and an incremental section of said strip of photographic material so as to conduct such processing fluid thereto when said member is rotated to an operative position so as to bring its said capillary means into bridging relation between such fluid and such film segment; and means for cooperating with such apparatus when said cassette is operably associated therewith for displacing said member to its said operative position and for progressively advancing substantially the entire length of said strip of photographic material past said coating member so as to effect the coating of said strip of photographic material with such fluid.
 22. The cassette of claim 21 wherein said coating member comprises a cylinder having an indented portion, said capillary means comprising a plurality of capillary grooves extending along a portion of the curved periphery of said cylinder, and said cylinder being configured for rotation from an initial position wherein its indented portion is in adjoining relation to said film strip so as to permit passage of said film strip without contact to said cylinder and a second position wherein its said capillary grooves are in engagement with said film strip.
 23. The cassette of claim 22 wherein said indented portion comprises a flattened portion of said cylinder periphery.
 24. A film handling cassette comprising: a housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film and for operable association with photographic apparatus for effecting exposure, processing and projection operations; means for receiving a supply of processing fluid; coating means including a displaceably mounted member, said member comprising at least an annular segment having a plurality of capillary grooves extending along at least a limited portion of the outer curved surface thereof and configured for communicating with such supply of processing fluid when it is received in said receiving means and an incremental section of such strip of photographic material to conduct such processing fluid thereto when said member is displaced to an operative position to bring its said capillary grooves into bridging relation between such fluid and such film segment such that the open face of at least a portion of said grooves is in tangential contact with such film segment; and means for cooperating with such apparatus when said cassette is operably associated therewith for displacing said member to its said operative position and for progressively advancing substantially the entire length of such of photographic material past said coating member to effect the coating of such strip of photographic material with such fluid.
 25. The cassette of claim 24 wherein said capillary grooves are substantially uniform in cross-section throughout their length.
 26. The cassette of claim 24 wherein said grooves are tapered so as to a decreasing cross-section throughout their length.
 27. A photographic system comprising: a photographic cassette comprising: a cassette housing configured for retaining a strip of photographic film material and for operable association with other photographic apparatus for effecting exposure, processing and projection operations; means for receiving a supply of processing fluid; a coating cylinder having capillary means extending around a limited portion of the periphery thereof and configured for communicating with such supply 9 of processing fluid and an incremental section of such strip of photographic material to conduct such processing fluid thereof when said cylinder is rotated to an operative position to bring its said capillary means into bridging relation between such fluid and such incremental section; and means for cooperating with other apparatus when said cassette is operably associated therewith for rotating said cylinder to its said operative position and for progressively advancing substantially the entire length of such film strip past said coating cylinder so as to effect the coating of such strip of photographic material with such fluid; and an apparatus comprising: a housing having means for receiving said cassette in an operative location therein; and means for cooperating with said cylinder rotating means and said advancement facilitating means for rotating said cylinder to its said operative position and for progressively advancing such film strip there-across. 28 The system of claim 27 wherein said apparatus means includes first independent means for cooperating with said cylinder rotating means so as to rotate said cylinder and second independent means for cooperating with said advancement facilitating means for advancing such film across said cylinder.
 29. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a processing station having a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from such source into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position, and said coating cylinder being configured for location of at least a portion of the periphery of said cylinder in said reservoir.
 30. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a processing station having a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such fluid, said coating cylinder being configured for location of at least a portion of the periphery thereof in said reservoir chamber, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means into said reservoir chamber responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position, said means for releasing such fluid including means carried by said cylinder and configured for cooperation with said storing means for releasing such fluid responsive to rotational displacement of said cylinder from an initial position wherein said capillary means are not in film engagement and an operative position wherein said capillary means are in film engagement.
 31. The system of claim 30 wherein said releasing means includes a projection located at a given point on said cylinder at one end of said capillary means, and said projection configured for engaging said storing means and for releasing the fluid therein during rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position.
 32. The system of claim 31 including stop means configured for cooperating with said projection for stopping said cylinder in its said operative position.
 33. The cassette of claim 32 wherein said fluid storing means is a pod-like member having at least a portion of tearable material, and said cylinder includes a projecting tang configured to pierce said portion and tear open said pod responsive to rotation of said cylinder.
 34. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, said cylinder Being mounted for rotational displacement between an initial position wherein said capillary means are wholly within said chamber and an operational position wherein said capillary means extend through said aperture, and said apparatus means for rotating said cylinder including means for rotating said cylinder between its said initial and its said operational position.
 35. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, said means for rotating such cylinder includes means for subsequently rotating said cylinder from its said operative position following treatment of such film strip with such fluid, and means responsive to said subsequent rotation of said cylinder from its operative position for sealing said chamber aperture.
 36. The system of claim 27 wherein said cassette includes a reservoir chamber configured for receiving such source of fluid, means for releasably storing such fluid, means for releasing such fluid from said storing means responsive to rotation of said cylinder, said chamber having an aperture therein, and said coating cylinder being mounted in said chamber with a portion of its periphery extending through said aperture, and means for sealing said aperture responsive to rotation of said cylinder from its said operative position.
 37. The system of claim 36 wherein said sealing means comprises an absorptive material mounted on the periphery of said cylinder.
 38. The system of claim 27 wherein said capillary means includes a plurality of capillary grooves arranged in spaced relationship and extending around a limited portion of the periphery of said cylinder.
 39. An applicator for applying a coating of processing fluid to a strip of photographic film material as such film strip is advanced past said applicator, said applicator comprising: means for receiving a supply of processing fluid; a coating cylinder having capillary means extending around a limited portion of the periphery thereof and configured for communicating with such received supply of fluid and at least an incremental section of such film strip so as to conduct such processing fluid thereto when said cylinder is rotated to an operative position, responsive to external means, to bring its said capillary means into bridging relation between such received fluid and such incremental section.
 40. The applicator of claim 39 wherein said cylinder includes an indented portion, said capillary means comprise a plurality of grooves extending along a portion of the curved periphery of said cylinder, and said cylinder being configured for rotation from an initial position wherein its said indented portion is in adjoining relation to such film strip so as to permit free passage thereof without contact to said cylinder and a second position wherein said capillary grooves are in engagement with such film strip.
 41. The applicator of claim 39 additionally including a housing, means for releasably storing such supply of fluid, and wherein said receiving means includes a chamber located in said housing and configured for receiving such fluid, said cylinder being located with at least a portion of its said periphery located in said chamber, and said applicator additionally including means responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position for releasing such fluid from said fluid storing means.
 42. The applicator of claim 41 wherein said fluid storing means is a pod-like member having at least a portion of tearable material and said cylinder includes a projecting tang configured to open said pod and thereby release such fluid responsive to rotation of said cylinder to its said operative position. 